Exhibition at United Nations showcases Israel's education of hospitalized children

‘Education Without Borders,’ a photo exhibition opening at 12:30 p.m. CEST on Monday, 21 September 2015 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, shows how Israel is alone among Mideast nations in providing continuing education for all hospitalized Israeli children, including Arabs and other minorities, and Syrian refugees.

Israel’s Ministry of Education mandates that all children hospitalized for more than three days receive continuing education during their stays.

The SASA Setton Kav Or Initiative, a nonprofit working in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Education and World ORT Kadima Mada, provides formal educational programs in 35 hospitals and medical centers across Israel and develops online platforms and curricula to enable children to continue schooling during lengthy hospital stays.

The exhibition showcases the program as another key difference between Israel and her neighbors in protecting human rights, especially those of children.

“The SASA Setton Kav Or Initiative is a great example of a successful partnership between government, civil society and the private sector,” said the permanent representative of Israel to the United Nations in Geneva, Amb. Eviatar Manor. “It provides an innovative platform that connects and promotes three major sets of human rights: the rights of the child, the right to health and the right to education.”

Some 200 visitors are expected to attend the event, hosted by the World Jewish Congress (WJC) and Israel's mission to the United Nations. The exhibition will feature photos of the children benefitting from the education justice initiative and will coincide with the thirtieth UN Human Rights Council session.

Speaking at the event will be Amb. Manor, CEO of the World Jewish Congress Robert Singer, the SASA Setton Kav Or Initiative founders Philippe and Hilda Setton, Hadassah University Hospital Mount Scopus Director Dr. Osnat Levzion-Korach, chief of the Civil Society Partnerships at UNICEF Liza Barrie, and Exhibition Photographer Shahar Azran. 

“Hundreds of thousands of Israeli children, as well as Syrian refugees, being treated in Israeli hospitals have already benefitted from this important initiative,” said Robert Singer.

All photos: (c) Shahar Azran